Shift lever device

ABSTRACT

A shift device ( 10 ) including a shift position detecting sensor ( 28 ), a user identifying device ( 78 ) and a shift detection preventing device ( 73,76 ) is disclosed. The shift position detecting sensor detects a shift position of the shift lever and generates a shift position signal corresponding to the detected shift position. The user identifying device identifies a user of the shift device. If the user identifying device cannot identify the user, the shift detection preventing device prevents the shift position detecting sensor from detecting the shift position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to shift devices, and, moreparticularly, to shift-by-wire type shift Lever devices.

[0002] Conventionally, a manual shift valve is shifted with amanipulating lever located near a driver seat. In a shift-by-wire typeautomatic transmission mechanism, movement of the manipulating lever isconverted to an electric shift signal. More specifically, the mechanismincludes an actuator that shifts a manual shift valve in accordance withthe electronic shift signal. Gears are thus changed quickly.

[0003] There is a demand for a shift device used in the shift-by-wiretype automatic transmission mechanism, or a shift-by-wire type shiftdevice, that includes equipment for preventing automobile theft.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention toprovide a shift lever device that prevents car-theft cases efficiently.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention is a shiftdevice including a shift lever, a shift position detecting sensor, auser identifying device, and a shift detection preventing device. Theshift lever is manually moved in at least two directions from apredetermined position by a user. The shift position detecting sensordetects a shift position of the shift lever and generates a shiftposition signal corresponding to the detected shift position. The useridentifying device identifies a user of the shift device. The shiftdetection preventing device prevents the shift position detecting sensorfrom detecting the shift position if the user identifying device cannotidentify the user.

[0006] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, maybest be understood by reference to the following description of thepresently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawingsin which:

[0008]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a shift device ofan embodiment according to the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the shift device of FIG. 1 inan assembled state;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion near the baseof the shift lever of the shift device shown in FIG. 1;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a side view showing a locking member located in anoperating position;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a top view showing the locking member of FIG. 5;

[0014]FIG. 7 is a side view showing the locking member of FIG. 5 in aretreating position;

[0015]FIG. 8A is a top view showing a stopping mechanism when the shiftlever is located at “N” position;

[0016]FIG. 8B is a top view showing the stopping mechanism when theshift lever is located at “D” position;

[0017]FIG. 9 is a side view showing the locking member located in theoperating position;

[0018]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the locking member;

[0019]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a shielding mechanism;

[0020]FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a shutter plate of theshielding mechanism and a magnetic sensor element; and

[0021]FIG. 13 is a block diagram schematically showing an electriccircuit of the shift device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] A shift device 10 of an embodiment according to the presentinvention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. In thedrawings, an X axis extends perpendicular to a Y axis. Hereinafter, thedirections indicated by the arrows representing the X axis and the Yaxis will be referred to as X direction and Y direction, respectively.

[0023] The shift device 10, which is used in a shift-by-wire typeautomatic transmission mechanism, is secured to the floor of a vehicle.As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the shift device 10 includes a base 10. Asquare support frame 12 projects upward from the base 10, as viewed inthe drawings. A hollow, square retainer 13 is received in the spacedefined by the support frame 12. The retainer 13 has a pair of coaxialbosses 14 that project along the Y axis. Each boss 14 has a boss opening15. A pair of support pins 16 are passed through holes formed inassociated walls of the support frame 12 and are received in theassociated boss holes 15. The support frame 12 supports the retainer 13such that the retainer 13 pivots around the support pins 16.

[0024] A base of a lever body 17 is accommodated in the retainer 13. Asupport bolt 18 extends through the retainer 13 and the lever body 17. Anut is fastened to the support bolt 18. The support bolt 18 supports thelever body 17 such that the lever body 17 pivots about the bolt 18 withrespect to the retainer 13. The dimension of the base of the lever body17 in the X direction (the thickness of the lever body 17) issubstantially equal to the dimension of a hollow space within theretainer 13 in the X direction. Thus, the lever body 17 and the retainer13 do not move relative to each other in the X direction.

[0025] A shift rod 19 projects upward from the lever body 17. A knob 20is secured to the distal end of the shift rod 19. As shown in FIG. 3, amagnet 21 is secured to a basal end of the lever body 17. When the shiftdevice 10 is assembled, the magnet 21 is located below the lower openingend of the retainer 13.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, a cover 22 is attached to the base 11. A pairof slots 24, 25 are formed in an upper plate 23 of the cover 22 andextend in the X direction. A front end of the slot 24 corresponds to theneutral position (“N” position), and the other end of the slot 24corresponds to the reverse position (“R” position). A front end of theslot 25 corresponds to an accelerating position (“plus (+)” position)and the other end of the slot 25 corresponds to a decelerating position(“minus (−)” position). An intermediate position of the slot 25corresponds to the drive position (“D” position). A connecting slot 24 aconnects the portion of the slot 24 corresponding to the “N” position tothe portion of the slot 25 corresponding to the “D” position. The shiftrod 19 is moved along the slots 24, 25 and is shifted to the “N”position, the “R” position, the “D” position, the “+” position, or the“−” position.

[0027] In FIG. 11, the broken lines a1, a2, and a3 indicate a firstposition, a second position, and a third position, each of whichcorresponds to a position of the axis of the lever body 17. Morespecifically, the lever body 17 is switched selectively among the firstposition a1 (corresponding to the “−” position and the “R” position),the second, or intermediate, position a2 (corresponding to the “D”position and the “N” position), and the third position a3 (correspondingto the “+” position). The position of the magnet 21 is altered inaccordance with the position of the lever body 17.

[0028] A base plate 27 is secured to the base 11 at a position below thesupport frame 12. The upper side of the base plate 27 faces the magnet21. As shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of shift position detectingelements, or magnetic sensor elements 28, are located along the upperside of the base plate 27. It is preferred that the magnetic sensorelements 28 are MRE elements. Each magnetic sensor element 28 is locatedat a position corresponding to the position of the magnet 21, which ischanged depending on whether the shift rod 19 is located at the “N”position, the “R” position, the “D” position, the “+” position, or the“−” position. In this manner, the magnetic sensor element 28 detectsthat the shift rod 19 is located at the “N” position, the “R” position,the “D” position, the “+” position, or the “−” position. Morespecifically, when facing the magnet 21, each magnetic sensor element 28produces a shift position detecting signal, which indicates the positionof the lever body 17.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, a U-shaped attachment frame 31 is formedintegrally with the base 11 at a position adjacent to the support frame12. A solenoid 32 is accommodated in the space defined by the attachmentframe 31. The solenoid 32 includes a plunger 33 and a coil spring 34. Asshown in FIG. 4, the retainer 13 includes a tab 30 that extends in the Xdirection. An engagement hole 30 a is formed in the tab 30. When thelever body 17 is located at the “N” position, the tab 30 opposes arightward outer side of the attachment frame 31. In this state, if thesolenoid 32 is inactivated, the coil spring 34 operates to project theplunger 33 from a hole formed in the rightward outer side of theattachment frame 31. The plunger 33 thus engages on the engagement hole30 a of the tab 30, thus preventing the retainer 13 from pivoting.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the support frame 12 includes a rightwardside 41. A pair of stepped, positioning portions 35, 36 are formed alongthe top of the rightward side 41. The stepped portion 35, which is tothe left of the other stepped portion 36, includes three steps. Thestepped portion 36, which is to the right of the stepped portion 35,includes an intermediate recess and a pair of opposing slopes betweenwhich the recess is located. The bottom of the intermediate recess ofthe stepped portion 36 is flush with the intermediate step of thestepped portion 35.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the lever body 17 has an extension 37 thatextends in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 3, an accommodation hole 38is formed in the lower side of the extension 37 and accommodates apositioning pin 39 and a coil spring 40. The positioning pin 39 abutsagainst either the stepped portion 35 or the stepped portion 36depending on the position of the lever body 17. The coil spring 40 urgesthe positioning pin 39 toward the stepped portion 35 or the steppedportion 36. More specifically, when the shift rod 19 is located at the“N” position or the “R” position, the positioning pin 39 abuts againstthe left stepped portion 35, thus maintaining the shift rod 19 at thecorresponding position. In contrast, when the shift rod 19 is located atthe “D” position or the “+” position or the “−” position, thepositioning pin 39 abuts against the right stepped portion 36, thusmaintaining the shift rod 19 at the corresponding position. Since thebottom of the intermediate recess of the stepped portion 36 is flushwith the intermediate step of the stepped portion 35, the lever body 17is permitted to move in the Y direction between the “N” position and the“D” position. The positioning pin 39, the coil spring 40, and thestepped portions 35, 36 form a positioning mechanism.

[0032] An ignition key cylinder 51 will hereafter be described. The keycylinder 51 selectively locks and unlocks the lever body 17.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, an accommodating sleeve 50 projects from thebase 11. The ignition key cylinder 51 is securely fitted in an upperportion of the accommodating sleeve 50. A detection coil 52 is securedto the upper side of the key cylinder 51 and is received in the sleeve50. A rotor 53 is formed on the upper side of the key cylinder 51. Thedetection coil 52 encompasses the rotor 53. A key hole 53 a is formed inthe rotor 53 and is exposed from an opening 22 a formed in the cover 22.An ignition key (not shown) matching the key hole 53 a is inserted inthe key hole 53 a.

[0034] The rotor 53 includes a known key locking mechanism that includesa plurality of tumblers. When the matching ignition key is inserted inthe key hole 53 a, the rotor 53 is permitted to rotate clockwise from an“OFF” position to an “ON” position (see FIG. 2). However, if an ignitionkey that does not match the key hole 53 a is inserted in the key hole 53a, the rotor 53 is not permitted to rotate. Regarding the ignition keycylinder 51, the “ON” position is spaced from the “OFF” position by apredetermined angle, which is preferably ninety degrees. Further, thekey cylinder 51 includes an “ACCESSORY” position that is located betweenthe “ON” position and the “OFF” position.

[0035] The key locking mechanism locks the ignition key when the key islocated at positions other than the “OFF” position (that is, the“ACCESSORY” position and the “ON” position). The key is thus inseparablefrom the key hole 53 a. In this specification, the state in which thekey is inseparable from the key hole 53 a is referred to as the “keylocking state”, while the state in which the key is separable from thekey hole 53 a is referred to as the “key unlocking state”.

[0036] When the rotor 53 is located at the “OFF” position, the keycylinder 51 is locked (hereinafter referred to as the “shift lockingstate”). If the rotor 53 is rotated from the “OFF” position to the “ON”position using the matching ignition key, the key cylinder 51 isunlocked (hereinafter referred to as the “shift unlocking state”).

[0037] A plurality of contacts (not shown) are formed in the keycylinder 51. When the rotor 53 is switched from the “OFF” position tothe “ACCESSORY” position or the “ON” position, the contacts of the keycylinder 51 are switched correspondingly. Thus, for example, if therotor 53 is switched to the “ON” position, the engine of the vehicle isstarted.

[0038] A bevel gear 54 is connected to the lower side of the keycylinder 51. A pair of bearing pieces 56 project from the base 11 at aposition between the accommodating sleeve 50 and the support frame 12.The bearing pieces 56 pivotally support a locking shaft 57, whichextends in the Y direction. A sector gear 58 is secured to the lockingshaft 57 and engages with the bevel gear 54.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 10, a first locking piece 61 and a secondlocking piece 62 project in opposite radial directions from thesubstantial axial middle of the locking shaft 57. A dimension of thesecond locking piece 62 as measured in the Y direction is larger thanthat of the first locking piece 61 (see FIG. 1). A third locking piece63 projects from the locking shaft 57. The third locking piece 63 andthe first locking piece 61 are located in the same plane. The thirdlocking piece 63 includes a side that extends perpendicular to theadjacent side of the first locking piece 61. The locking shaft 57, thefirst locking piece 61, the second locking piece 62, and the thirdlocking piece 63 function as a locking member.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the lever body 17 includes a pair ofprojections 65 a, 65 b, which project in the X direction. As shown inFIG. 7, the projections 65 a, 65 b are spaced downward from the lockingshaft 57. Thus, if the lever body 17 is moved in X direction, theprojections 65 a, 65 b do not interfere with the locking shaft 57. Theupper side of each projection 65 a, 65 b is flat. A locking groove 69 isformed between the projections 65 a, 65 b.

[0041]FIG. 5 shows the locking mechanism when the rotor 53 is located atthe “OFF” position. In this state, the first locking piece 61 projectsvertically upward from the locking shaft 57. This position of the firstlocking piece 61 is referred to as a “retreating position” of the firstlocking piece 61. Further, the third locking piece 63 is located in thelocking groove 69 at a position adjacent to the projection 65 a. Thisposition of the third locking piece 63 is referred to as a “lockingposition” of the third locking piece 63.

[0042] If the rotor 53 is rotated to the “ON” position using thematching ignition key, the locking mechanism is switched to the state asshown in FIG. 7. More specifically, the locking shaft 57 is rotated byninety degrees by means of the bevel gear 54 engaged with the sectorgear 58. In this state, the first locking piece 61 is horizontal. Thisposition of the first locking piece 61 is referred to as an “operationalposition” of the first locking piece 61. Further, the third lockingpiece 63 is removed from the locking groove 69 and is located at an“unlocking position”.

[0043] The projection 65 a, which is located leftward with respect tothe third locking piece 63, functions as a locking projection. As shownin FIG. 6, the third locking piece 63 is received in the locking groove69 when the lever body 17 is located at the “N” position. In this state,abutment between the third locking piece 63 and the projection 65 aprevents the lever body 17 from being moved from the “N” position to the“D” position, in the Y direction.

[0044] Further, as shown in FIG. 5, if the lever body 17 is located atthe “N” position and the first locking piece 61 is pivoted to itsretreating position, the second locking piece 62 is located at aposition relatively close to the projection 65 a (an interferingposition). In this state, abutment between the second locking piece 62and the projection 65 a prevents the lever body 17 from being moved fromthe “N” position to the “R” position, in the X direction.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, if the lever body 17 is located at the “N”position and the first locking piece 61 is located at the operatingposition, the second locking piece 62 is located at a retreatingposition (a non-interfering position). That is, the second locking piece62 does not interfere with the projection 65 a when located at thisposition. Accordingly, in this state, the lever body 17 is permitted tomove from the “N” position to the “R” position, in the X direction.

[0046] The lever body 17 includes a recess (receiver) 66 defined by anupper plate 70 and the projections 65 a, 65 b, as shown in FIG. 7. Anotch 67 is formed in the upper plate 70 (see FIG. 1). The notch 67permits the first locking piece 67 to move from its retreating positionto the operating position in the recess 66. The dimension of the notch67 in the Y direction (the width of the notch 67) and the dimension ofthe notch 67 in the X direction (the depth of the notch 67) are bothshorter than the corresponding dimensions of the recess 66. The upperplate 70 functions as a prohibiting member.

[0047] When the first locking piece 61 is located at its operatingposition (see FIG. 7), the lever body 17 is permitted to move betweenthe “N” position and the “R” position. In other words, the dimension ofthe recess 66 in the Y direction (the width of the recess 66) issubstantially equal to or slightly larger than the movement distance ofthe lever body 17 from the “N” position to the “D” position. Further,the dimension of the recess 66 in the X direction (the depth of therecess 66) is substantially equal to or slightly larger than themovement distance of the lever body 17 from the “N” position to the “R”position or from the “D” position to the “−” position.

[0048] When the lever body 17 is located at the “+” position, the “D”position, or the “−” position, the distal end of each projection 65 a,65 b is located at the position indicated by the corresponding referenceindices “+”, “D”, or “−” in FIG. 8B. The drawing shows the state inwhich the lever body 17 is located at the “D” position. In this state,the first locking piece 61, which is maintained at its operatingposition, is located at the position interfering with the upper plate70. Accordingly, abutment between the first locking piece 61 and theupper plate 70 prevents the first locking piece 61 from being moved fromits operating position to its retreating position.

[0049] When the lever body 17 is located at the “+” position, the “D”(the “N”) position, or the “−” (the “R”) position, the distal end of thefirst locking piece 61 is located at the positions indicated by thecorresponding reference indices the “+”, the “D” (the “N”), or the “−”(the “R”)

[0050] More specifically, if the lever body 17 is moved from the “D”position to the “+” position, the first locking piece 61, which islocated at its operational position, moves relative to the lever body 17in the X direction. The distal end of the first locking piece 61 is thuslocated at the position indicated by the index “+”. In this state, thefirst locking piece 61 is located at a position interfering with theupper plate 70.

[0051] Further, if the lever body 17 is moved from the “D” position tothe “−” position, the first locking piece 61, which is located at itsoperational position, moves relative to the lever body 17 in an oppositedirection to the X direction. The distal end of the first locking piece61 is thus located at the position indicated by the index “−”. In thisstate, the first locking piece 61 is located at a position interferingwith the upper plate 70.

[0052]FIG. 8A shows the state in which the lever body 17 is located atthe “N” position. If the lever body 17 is moved from the “N” position tothe “R” position, the first locking piece 61, which is located at itsoperational position, moves relative to the lever body 17 in theopposite direction to the X direction. In this state, the distal end ofthe first locking piece 61 is located at a position interfering with theupper plate 70.

[0053] As described, when the lever body 17 is moved from the “D”position to the “+” position or from the “D” position to the “−”position or from the “N” position to the “R” position, the first lockingpiece 61 is maintained at a position interfering with the upper plate70. In this state, abutment between the first locking piece 61 and theupper plate 70 prevents the first locking piece 61 from retreating fromits operating position to its retreating position.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 9, if the lever body 17 is moved from the “N”position to the “R” position, the projection 65 a is maintained at aposition interfering with the locking shaft 57 and the second lockingpiece 62. In this state, the projection 65 a is located adjacent to thebase of the second locking piece 62. The projection 65 a thus preventsthe second locking piece 62 from rotating counterclockwise as viewed inFIG. 9. That is, if the lever body 17 is located at the “R” position,the first locking piece 61 and the second locking piece 62 prevent thelocking shaft 57 from rotating.

[0055] As described, the first locking piece 61, the second lockingpiece 62, the third locking piece 63, the projection 65 a, the recess66, and the upper plate 70 form a stopping mechanism L.

[0056] Next, a shielding mechanism S of the base plate 27 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 3, 11, and 12.

[0057]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the shielding mechanismS. A pair of guide grooves 72 extend in the base 11 in the X direction.The interval between the guide grooves 72 is greater than the dimensionof the base plate 27 in the Y direction. A shutter plate 73, as shown inFIG. 12, is engaged with the guide grooves 72 and slides along the guidegrooves 72. The shutter plate 73 is thus moved between a shieldingposition and a non-shielding position, which is shown in FIG. 11. Whenlocated at the non-shielding position, the shutter plate 73 does notshield the magnetic sensor elements 28 of the base plate 27. The shutterplate 73 has an elongated opening 74 that extends in the X direction. Arack 75 is formed in a side wall of the elongated opening 74. A motor 76is secured to the upper side of the base 11. A pinion 77 is attached tothe output shaft of the motor 76. The pinion 77 is engaged with the rack75 of the shutter plate 73. The motor 76 is driven to move the shutterplate 73 between the shielding position and the non-shielding position.

[0058] An electric circuit of the shift device 10 will hereafter bedescribed.

[0059] An ignition key (not shown) that corresponds to the key cylinder51 is provided independently from the shift device 10. A knowntransponder is incorporated in the ignition key. The transpondermemorizes an identification code for a car-theft preventing device,which is an immobilizer. When the key is inserted in the key hole 53 aof the key cylinder 51, the transponder is moved to a position adjacentto the detecting coil 52. The transponder thus supplies theidentification code to an electronic control unit for the immobilizer,or the immobilizer ECU 78, through the detecting coil 52.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 13, the immobilizer ECU 78 judges whether or notthe supplied identification code corresponds to an identification codestored in the immobilizer ECU 78. If the judgment is positive, theimmobilizer ECU 78 sends a signal for continuously driving the engine toan ECU for the engine, or an engine ECU (not shown). However, if thejudgment is negative, or the supplied identification code does notcorrespond to the stored identification code, the immobilizer ECU 78sends a signal for stopping the engine to the engine ECU.

[0061] Further, if the identification code supplied from the keycorresponds to the identification code stored in the immobilization ECU78, the immobilizer ECU 78 actuates the motor 76 to move the shutterplate 73 from the shielding position to the non-shielding position. Incontrast, if the identification code of the ignition key does notcorrespond to the stored identification code, the immobilizer ECU 78maintains the shutter plate 73 at the shielding position.

[0062] A brake switch 79 is located in the vicinity of a brake pedal andsends a control signal to the immobilizer ECU 78 when the brake pedal isdepressed. If the brake switch 79 is turned on, the immobilizer ECU 78excites the solenoid 32. In this state, the plunger 33 of the solenoid32 is retracted against the force of the coil spring 34. Accordingly,the plunger 33 is disengaged from the engagement hole 30 a of theretainer 13, thus unlocking the retainer 13. In contrast, if the brakeswitch 79 is turned off, the immobilizer ECU 78 de-excites the solenoid32. In this state, the coil spring 34 operates to engage the plunger 33with the engagement hole 30 a of the retainer 13, thus locking theretainer 13.

[0063] The operation of the shift device 10 will now be described.

[0064] 1. When the lever body 17 is located at the “N” position

[0065] Hereinafter, an “initial state” is defined as the state of theshift device 10 when the lever body 17 is located at the “N” positionand the rotor 53 is located at the “OFF” position. In the initial state,the first locking piece 61 is located in the retreating position (seeFIGS. 5 and 6), and the plunger 33 is engaged with the engagement hole30 a of the retainer 13, thus locking the retainer 13.

[0066] First, when the brake pedal is depressed, the immobilizer ECU 78excites the solenoid 32 in accordance with a control signal from thebrake switch 79, thus unlocking the retainer 13. In this state, thesecond locking piece 62 is located at its interfering position while thethird locking piece 63 is located at its locking position, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. Accordingly, the lever body 17 is stopped from beingmoved from the “N” position to the “R” position in the X direction andfrom the “N” position to the “D” position in the Y direction. Further,since the rotor 53 is maintained at the “OFF” position, the secondlocking piece 62 and the third locking piece 63 maintain the keycylinder 51 as locked, or in the shift locking state.

[0067] If a matching ignition key is inserted in the key hole 53 a, therotor 53 is permitted to operate. That is, the key cylinder 51 isrotated clockwise from the “OFF” position to the “ON” position by apredetermined angle (which is preferably ninety degrees) using theignition key. The rotation of the ignition key is transmitted to thelocking mechanism through the bevel gear 54, the sector gear 58, and thelocking shaft 57. More specifically, the first locking piece 61 is movedfrom the retreating position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to the operatingposition shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A. Further, the second locking piece 62is moved from the interfering position to the non-interfering position,and the third locking piece 63 is moved from the locking position to theunlocking position.

[0068] In this state, the solenoid 32 is excited to unlock the retainer13. The retainer 13 is thus permitted to rotate, and the lever body 17is permitted to move in the X direction while the lever body 17 ispermitted to rotate around the support bolt 18 in the Y direction. Inother words, if the rotor 53 is switched from the “OFF” position to the“ON” position using the matching ignition key, the second locking piece62 and the third locking piece 63 are operated to unlock the shiftdevice 10, or hold the shift device 10 in the shift unlocking state.

[0069] In response to the rotation of the rotor 53 to the “ON” position,a switch (not shown) provided in the key cylinder 51 generates an enginestarting signal. The immobilizer ECU 78 then judges whether or not theidentification code, which is supplied from the transponder of theignition key, corresponds to the stored identification code. If thejudgment is positive, the immobilizer ECU 78 sends a signal forcontinuously driving the engine to the engine ECU. Further, theimmobilizer ECU 78 actuates the motor 76 to move the shutter plate 73from the shielding position to the non-shielding position.

[0070] 2. When the lever body 17 is located at the “D” position

[0071] Next, the lever body 17 is shifted from the “N” position to the“D” position by means of the knob 20. Accordingly, the first lockingpiece 61 is located at the position interfering with the upper plate 70,as shown in FIG. 8A.

[0072] 3. When the lever body 17 is located at the “+” position

[0073] If the lever body 17 is shifted from the “D” position to the “+”position, the first locking piece 61 moves relative to the lever body 17in the X direction. When the lever body 17 is located at the “+”position, the first locking piece 61 is located at the positioninterfering with the upper plate 70, and the distal end of the firstlocking piece 61 is located at the position indicated by the referenceindex “+” in FIG. 9.

[0074] 4. When the lever body 17 is located at the “−” position

[0075] If the lever body 17 is shifted from the “D” position to the “−”position, the first locking piece 61 moves relative to the lever body 17in an opposite direction to the X direction. When the lever body 17 islocated at the “−” position, the first locking piece 61 is located atthe position interfering with the upper plate 70, and the distal end ofthe first locking piece 61 is located at the position indicated by thereference index “−” in FIG. 9.

[0076] 5. When the lever body 17 is located at the “R” position

[0077] If the lever body 17 is shifted from the “N” position (FIG. 8A)to the “R” position, the first locking piece 61 moves relative to thelever body 17 in an opposite direction to the X direction. When thelever body 17 is located at the “R” position, the first locking piece 61is located at the position interfering with the upper plate 70 (asindicated by the reference index the “R” in FIG. 9).

[0078] As described, if the lever body 17 is moved from the “D” positionto the “+” position or from the “D” position to the “−” position or fromthe “N” position to the “R” position, the first locking piece 61 ismaintained at the position interfering with the upper plate 70. In thisstate, abutment between the first locking piece 61 and the upper plate70 prevents the first locking piece 61 from retreating from itsoperating position to its retreating position. In other words, if thelever body 17 is located at the positions other than the “N” position,the rotor 53 cannot be rotated from the “ON” position to the “OFF”position even with the matching ignition key.

[0079] While the lever body 17 is being moved from the “N” position(FIG. 8A) to the “R” position, the projection 65 a remains at theposition interfering with the locking shaft 57. Further, when the leverbody 17 is located at the “R” position, the projection 65 a is locatedrelatively close to the base of the second locking piece 62. In thisstate, abutment between the base of the second locking piece 62 and theprojection 65 a prevents the second locking piece 62 from rotatingcounterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 9. In other words, the first lockingpiece 61 and the second locking piece 62 prevent the locking shaft 57from rotating as long as the lever body 17 is located at the “R”position. The rotor 53 is thus prevented from being shifted from the“ON” position to the “OFF” position even with the matching ignition key.

[0080] The illustrated embodiment has the following advantages.

[0081] (1) The shift device 10 includes an immobilizer ECU 78, whichfunctions as a user identifying device. The immobilizer ECU 78 judgeswhether the identification code of an ignition key, which is inserted inthe key cylinder 51, corresponds to an identification code stored in theimmobilizer ECU 78. If the judgment is negative, the motor 76 operatesthe shutter plate 73 to prevent the magnetic sensor elements 28 fromdetecting the shift position of the lever body 17. That is, the motor 76and the shutter plate 73 function as a shift detection preventingdevice.

[0082] In this manner, gears are prevented from being changed regardlessof the operation of the lever body 17, if the judgment of theimmobilizer ECU 78 is negative.

[0083] (2) The shielding mechanism S, which prevents the magnetic sensorelements 28 from detecting the shift position of the lever body 17,includes only the shutter plate 73 and the motor 76. This simplifies thestructure of the shielding mechanism S.

[0084] (3) The shift device 10 has the key cylinder 51 and the stoppingmechanism L. The key cylinder 51 is shifted between the key lockingstate and the key unlocking state. The stopping mechanism L selectivelyprevents the lever body 17 from being moved from a certain position inthe X direction or the Y direction depending on whether the key cylinder51 is maintained in the key locking state or the key unlocking state. Ifthe rotor 53 is rotated to the “OFF” position to hold the key cylinder51 in the key unlocking state, the stopping mechanism L prevents thelever body 17 from being moved from the “N” position to the “R” positionin the X direction or from the “N” position to the “D” position in the Ydirection.

[0085] If the rotor 53 is rotated from the “OFF” position to the “ON”position using the matching ignition key, the key cylinder 51 isswitched to the key locking state. In this state, the stopping mechanismL permits the lever body 17 to move from the “N” position to a certainposition in the X direction or the Y direction.

[0086] In contrast, if the rotor 53 is rotated from the “ON” position tothe “OFF” position using the matching ignition key, the key cylinder 51is switched from the key locking state to the key unlocking state. Inthis state, the stopping mechanism L prevents the lever body 17 frombeing moved in the X direction or the Y direction.

[0087] (4) The magnetic sensor elements 28, which are located below thelever body 17, detect the position at which the lever body 17 islocated. A shift position signal corresponding to the detected positionis generated. The signal is sent to, for example, the engine ECU. Theengine ECU performs a control procedure in accordance with the vehicle'soperational state based on the shift position signal.

[0088] (5) As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the key cylinder 51 islocated at OFF position, the second locking piece 62 and the thirdlocking piece 63 are located at shift-lock position. More specifically,the second locking piece 62 abuts against the distal end surface of theprojection 65 a and the third locking piece 63 abuts against the rightsurface of the projection 65 a. This prevents the shift lever from beingmoved in the X direction and the Y direction. On the other hand, asshown in FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B, when the key cylinder 51 is located at ONposition, the second locking piece 62 and the third locking piece 63 arelocated at shift-unlock position. More specifically, the second lockingpiece 62 is located at the non-interfering position and the thirdlocking piece 63 is out of the notch 67. Accordingly, the abutmentbetween the second locking piece 62 and the distal end surface of theprojection 65 a and the abutment between the third locking piece 63 andthe right surface of the projection 65 a are avoided for permitting theshift lever 17 to move in the X direction and the Y direction. Thestopping mechanism L mechanically stops the movement of the lever body17, thus reducing the cost. Further, the stopping mechanism L is locatedbetween the lever body 17 and the key cylinder 51, thus the stoppingmechanism L directly and reliably locks the lever body 17.

[0089] (6) The locking member including the second locking piece 62 andthe third locking piece 63 is connected to the key cylinder 51 throughthe gear mechanism that includes the bevel gear 54 and the sector gear58. Thus, when the key cylinder 51 is shifted to the key locking stateor the key unlocking state, the gear mechanism reliably changes theposition of the second locking piece 62 and that of the third lockingpiece 63.

[0090] (7) The locking shaft 57, the first locking piece 61, the secondlocking piece 62, and the third locking piece 63 are formed as one body.This structure reduces the number of the parts that form the stoppingmechanism L.

[0091] (8) If the lever body 17 is permitted to move in both directions,or the X direction and the Y direction, the upper plate 70 prevents thestopping mechanism L from being moved to a stopping position. Thestopping position of the stopping mechanism L corresponds to theinterfering position of the second locking piece 62 and the lockingposition of the third locking piece 63.

[0092] Accordingly, when the lever body 17 is permitted to move from the“N” position in the X direction and the Y direction, the key cylinder 51is not permitted to rotate from the “ON” position to the “OFF” position.Further, in this state, the key cylinder 51 is maintained in the keylocking state. The ignition key is thus inseparable from the rotor 53.

[0093] The illustrated embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0094] The shift position detecting sensor may be formed by a pluralityof optical sensor elements. In this case, a light source is secured tothe lower side of the lever body 17 and emits ray such as infrared raythat proceeds along a predetermined optical path. Further, a pluralityof optical sensor elements are located at positions below the lever body17 corresponding to optical paths of the ray, which are switcheddepending on the position at which the shift body 17 is located. In thismanner, the optical sensor elements detect the position of the shiftlever 17.

[0095] The magnetic sensor elements 28 may be located at positions otherthan those illustrated, as long as the magnetic sensor elements 28 arecapable of detecting the position at which the shift body 17 is located.For example, the magnetic sensor elements 28 may be located at a lateralside of the lever body 17.

[0096] The location of the bevel gear 54 and that of the sector gear 58may be switched.

[0097] The second locking piece 62 may be omitted. Instead, a projectionmay project in the locking groove 69 to a position close to the thirdlocking piece 63. In this case, abutment between the third locking piece63 and the projection prevents the lever body 17 from being moved fromthe “N” position to the “R” position.

[0098] The location of the slot 24 and that of the slot 25 may beswitched. In this case, the locations of the magnetic sensor elements28, the positions at which the first locking piece 61 interferes withthe upper plate 70, and the position of the projection 65 b relative tothe second locking piece 62 must be changed correspondingly.

[0099] The shape of the upper plate 70 may be modified as long as theupper plate 70 is capable of interfering with the first locking piece61.

[0100] The stopping mechanism L may include a locking member that moveslinearly to switch between the shift locking state and the shiftunlocking state, instead of the rotational locking member.

[0101] Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive and the invention is notto be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified withinthe scope and equivalence of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shift device comprising: a shift lever, whichis manually moved in at least two directions from a predeterminedposition by a user; a shift position detecting sensor, which detects ashift position of the shift lever and generates a shift position signalcorresponding to the detected shift position; a user identifying device,which identifies a user of the shift device; and a shift detectionpreventing device, which prevents the shift position detecting sensorfrom detecting the shift position if the user identifying device cannotidentify the user.
 2. The shift device as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe shift detection preventing device includes: a shutter member, whichis located between the shift lever and the shift position detectingsensor and is moved between a shielding position, at which the shuttermember prevents the shift position detecting sensor from detecting theshift position, and a non-shielding position, at which the shuttermember permits the shift position detecting sensor to detect the shiftposition; and a drive motor, which is connected to the user identifyingdevice, wherein the drive motor moves the shutter member from theshielding position to the non-shielding position if the user identifyingdevice identifies the user but maintains the shutter member at theshielding position if the user identifying device cannot identify theuser.
 3. The shift device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: akey cylinder, which is located adjacent to the shift lever and has aplurality of key positions, wherein the key cylinder receives a keycorresponding to the key cylinder, the key is located at a key positionselected from the key positions, and the key cylinder generates anengine driving signal depending on the selected key position; and astopping mechanism, which is located between the key cylinder and theshift lever for selectively preventing the shift lever from being moveddepending on the selected key position.
 4. The shift lever as set forthin claim 3, wherein the key cylinder includes a key lock mechanism forselectively preventing the key from being separated from the keycylinder depending on the selected key position, the key lock mechanismhaving a key locking position and a key unlocking position, and whereinthe stopping mechanism selectively restricts movement of the shift leverdepending on the position of the key lock mechanism.
 5. The shift deviceas set forth in claim 3, wherein the stopping mechanism selectivelyprevents the shift lever from being moved, in a mechanical manner. 6.The shift device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the stopping mechanismincludes a locking member that prevents the shift lever from being movedin the two directions, and the locking member is connected to the keycylinder through a gear mechanism.
 7. The shift device as set forth inclaim 6, wherein the locking member is formed by a single part andselectively prevents the shift lever from being moved in the twodirections in accordance with operation of the key cylinder.
 8. Theshift device as set forth in claim 3, wherein: the stopping mechanism,which is located between the key cylinder and the shift lever, whereinthe stopping mechanism is moved selectively to a stopping position, atwhich the stopping mechanism stops movement of the shift lever and apermitting position, at which the stopping mechanism permits themovement of the shift lever, depending on the selected key position; andthe shift device includes a prohibiting member, which is formed in theshift lever for preventing the stopping mechanism from being moved tothe stopping position when the stopping member is located at thepermitting position.
 9. The shift device as set forth in claim 8,wherein the key cylinder includes a key lock mechanism for selectivelypreventing the key from being separated from the key cylinder dependingon the selected key position, the key lock mechanism having a keylocking position and a key unlocking position, and wherein the stoppingmechanism selectively restricts movement of the shift lever depending onthe position of the key lock mechanism.